The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-05-13

VI feel we are going TO be friends
he said and Mr.. Steyne handed him
cigar from an exquisitely mounted case.
''Im sorry now we didn't get to know
each other sooner. I've been here for
three days"
Then he went on to give his com
parton frank and rambling account
of his life and adventures, and how he
had made bis "pile." Altogether he
was very communicative. And Mr..
Steyne soon became confidential, too;
telling how he had come out to Spain
six years before; how he had lived for
the last three years in extreme poverty
and i'll health, and how thankfully he
had hailed the small windfall which
had lately befallen him. He spoke,
too, in affecting terms of much-loved
younger brother, who had died of
cholera the preceding Summer, and
whose death had been an acute and
terrible grief to him.
"You haven't been in England lately,
| suppose 7" said Mr.. Kemp, looking
attentively at a pretty little Spanish
girl who was crossing the street below.
"Oh, no, replied the other. 81 have
not seen England since l left it six
years ago. hadn't the means, even
had wished it, Besides, have no
longer any interests there"
As he spoke he fiicked the ash from
off his cigar and sighed.
"Ah," said the American. They
talked on Indifferent subjects until IL
o'clock then they parted for the night.
As the days went on they became
friends, apparently, and the one was
rarely seen without the other.
"Look here, Steyne, my boy" said
Mr.. Kemp,one afternoon ,as they sat on
the shady veraudah, 81 have an idea !"
"Surely, for Mr.. Kemp that is moth
ing uncommon" remarked Mr.. Steyne,
with courteous smile.
"I've been thinking" went on Mr..
Kemp. "You say you have never seen
much of Madrid. Neither have /, and
| guess it's rather an interesting little
place. Why shouldn't we take a run
up there together; not straight up but
doing all the places of Interest on the
way'"
"My dear sir, said Mr.. Steyne, blow
ing tiny curl of smoke into the air as
he spoke, "you have misunderstood me,
fear. The little sum my uncle left
me-though fortune to me-does not
admit of such extravaganza as you
mention. Much as should enjoy the
trip You propose"
"Pooh u broke in the other, brusque-
ly, don't have any nonsense. My dear
Fred-excuse me calling you Fred
you are so like friend l once had of
that name, can't look on you as a
stranger-Ive more money than /
know what to do with. Let me do the
thing-I guess you'll be doing me a
favor--it's fiat enough travelling alone,
and tell you don't know when felt
80 drawn to any one before. That's
So"
Mr.. Steyne at this moment was lean
ing his elbow upon the back of his
chair, his clear eyes fixed unwavering.
ly on the eager good natured face OF
his companion. 1t was an intense,
penetrating gaze, and the American,
after a second or two, said with not
unnatural surprise:
"What are you looking at?''
81 was trying to remember who you
remind me Of" said the other. 81
know now"
Mr.. Kemp poured out full glass ol
Manzanilla, and took a long drink be.
fore he spoke.
"Yes?" he said then interrogatively
at was" went on Steyne, dreamily
cup in Santander. A man was killed
there some months ago he was knock
ed down by runaway horse. You
face reminds me of his"
"Ah !" said the other. "Well, wha,
do you say to my little scheme? Viii
you come p
"My dear fellow" replied Mr.
Steyne, effectively, II really shoulc
enjoy it extremely, but"
"Then that's settled, said the Ameri
can, in brisk tones. "No, I'll take nc
refusal. Well start this very day, O.
tomorrow. Well have a right roya
time; and we'll give the Spaniards fit
all round"
| Mr.. Steyne made no further obiec
tions. They did start the next day
and they certainly had a royal time
They went from Malaga to Granada
Cordova, Seville, Badajos, Cindld Rea
and Toledo, and took countless othe
places en- route. They visited the AL
hambra by moonlight; they ogled Lowell,
black eyed senoritas they ATTENDED
bull fights by day and masked balls b,
night; and they spent money lik
water. Finally they arrived in Mad ric
and took their quarters at the Fond
de Paris, in the Puerta del Sol.
On the second day after their arriva
in the Spanish capital, Mr.. Kemp, VIII,
had been out for some time, entere,
the cool marbel-tiled apartments wher
his travelling companion was stretche,
upon two chairs with cigar between
his lips and small glass of curacao a
his elbow, and said, in accents o
pleased surprise: snow, isn't this tn
most fortunate things I've Just ha,
this'-holding out an open letter
''sent on from Toledo. It's from al
old friend of mine-a countryman, to,
he's been yachting about for the las
few months and is going to put in a
Bayonne. He's very anxious should
meet him there and take a short cruise
and when he hears we are together he'll
be just as pleased to see you. He's
regularly hospital fellow and as rich a
jew. Let me see now," running hi
eye over the letter; swell have JUS
about time to get there by the time h,
arrives. Wen start at once. He say
he has some very pretty girls on board
too. Why Fred, it'll be considerably
bit of fun"
81 hope you will enjoy your cruise
Kemp my dear fellow" said Mr.. Stew
ne; ''but ! am sorry | cannot accom-
pany you. must really get back t,
Malaga this week. was thinking S,
when you came in"
"Pooh !" retorted the other, sc,
couple of weeks or 80 won't make mucl
difference. Your business can stand,
/ Unpaa Wa'n r,iua M. o..